EP322
Instrument Research Project
Instrument Choice: Guqin
Instrument Analysis
Guqin is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument that has a rich history. It is believed to be first created in the first millennium BC or even earlier. It is sometimes referred to as “the farther of Chinese music” and “the instrument of the sages”(Wikipedia, Guqin 2022).
Speaking of the basics, Guqin has seven strings which means it produces 7 voices at maximum. It has a range around 4 octaves ranging from C2 to D6 with tuning being C2 D2 F2 G2 A2 C3 D3. As a plucked instrument that decays with time, Guqin is a non-sustaining instrument.
When it comes to the construction of Guqin The body of Guqin is made of wood with a half-cylindrical structure where the upper surface is a little curved and the bottom surface is flat. Such structure allows a resonant space to exist within the body of Guqin. However the space is small and thus generates very soft volume. Speaking of strings material, contemporary players use nylon wrapped steel string whereas the ancient players use silk strings(Wikipedia, Guqin 2022).
Guqin has a great deal of intricate details that resembles the idea of “following the way of nature” in ancient China. The thirteen hui on the surface represent the 13 months of the year (as in the Lunar Calendar). The surface board is round to represent Heaven and the bottom board flat to represent the earth. The entire length of the body is 3 chi, 6 cun and 5 fen; representing the 365 days of the year(Wikipedia, Guqin 2022).
Fig.1 (Wikipedia, Guqin 2022)
Guqin has many techniques, including the main three which are san yin, fanyin and an yin. Sanyin means “unfettered sound”, which is basically unarticulated note plucked by finger. Fanyin translates into “floating sound”, which is the overtone harmonics played when one hand taps a specific point on the string and the other hand pluck the string. Anyin translates into “pressed sound”, which is similar to slide on guitar(Wikipedia, Guqin 2022).
There are a number of hand gestures to pluck the strings. The main four are Tiao, Gou, Pi and Bo and each generates a slightly different sound.
Fig.2 (Wikipedia, Guqin 2022)